Thank you, shop type people

Today I was shopping. I hate shopping. I was in many many shops and bought many many things.

It's the only day of shopping that I've done or that I will be doing for the Christmas. It was exhausting. There were people everybloodywhere.

Every single person who served me in every shop was polite and helpful, despite being crazy busy. I cannot imagine working in retail at this time of year, long hours, stress, rude customers, demanding managers, crap pay, and feck all thanks. I couldn't do it.

So to all the nice people who helped me today; thank you and Merry Christmas.

eviltwin

Don't forget having to listen to Christmas music on a loop since November. Anyone who can do that and find a smile for a customer the week before Christmas deserves a medal.

Lia_lia

I was in the Kilkenny shop today, it was jammers! But the staff were so lovely, with big smiles on their faces. Fair play to them. Don't think I could do it either!

dixiefly

Deleted User wrote: »

Today I was shopping. I hate shopping. I was in many many shops and bought many many things.

It's the only day of shopping that I've done or that I will be doing for the Christmas. It was exhausting. There were people everybloodywhere.

Every single person who serve.d me in every shop was polite and helpful, despite being crazy busy. I cannot imagine working in retail at this time of year, long hours, stress, rude customers, demanding managers, crap pay, and feck all thanks. I couldn't do it.

So to all the nice people who helped me today; thank you and Merry Christmas.

Well said

Summer wind

eviltwin wrote: »

Don't forget having to listen to Christmas music on a loop since November. Anyone who can do that and find a smile for a customer the week before Christmas deserves a medal.

Years ago I worked in a shoe shop for 3 months in the run up to and during Christmas. The manager had one Christmas cd of songs on a loop the whole entire time. The only time you could tune it out was when serving a customer and I was grateful for each and every one. It nearly drove me crazy.

Mr. CooL ICE

eviltwin wrote: »

Don't forget having to listen to Christmas music on a loop since November. Anyone who can do that and find a smile for a customer the week before Christmas deserves a medal.

Good point.

My sister worked in retail until recently for about 15 years. This year was the first time that she put up Christmas decorations because she couldn't stand the bloody things beforehand.

Rabo Karabekian

I worked in retail for around ten years, and I'm pretty glad to be out of it. Christmas was always absolutely mental, I can't remember the figures but we would essentially take in something crazy like 80% of our yearly trade in the week before Christmas. Trying to take breaks was funny/annoying as you would gather a group of around ten people around you asking questions, regardless of whether you had a uniform on (they just *knew*). But despite all this, the Christmas muzak from November, and the occasional person shouting at you or whatever, I actually really liked all the craziness and hectic nature of Christmas.

The Backwards Man

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXlcRc4fJgQ

Penny Tration

Whoopsa, you're exactly the type of customer that brightens up retail workers' day during the Christmas rush

cloud493

Your welcome

Tarzana2

Deleted User wrote: »

Every single person who served me in every shop was polite and helpful, despite being crazy busy. I cannot imagine working in retail at this time of year, long hours, stress, rude customers, demanding managers, crap pay, and feck all thanks. I couldn't do it.

I'd say you kinda get a rhythm going. I've never worked Christmas in retail, but I've worked in it at other busy times and you're kinda too busy to not be polite if that makes sense.

Gongoozler

I used to work in Oasis, and they used to start their sales on Christmas Eve. Of course no one used to buy anything on Christmas Eve, but everyone was in town and would come in for a look, and mess everything. Oh god the mess.

mad muffin

I did all my shopping online this year… and it was fab.u.las

Ruu

Also sorry to retail workers who have to deal with arsehole parents who were too late to get little Jimmy or Mollys bike and/or doll and take it out you. Happy Christmas.

Penny Tration

Ruu wrote: »

Also sorry to retail workers who have to deal with arsehole parents who were too late to get little Jimmy or Mollys bike and/or doll and take it out you. Happy Christmas.

I've been very lucky this year. I've had nothing but nice customers. One even gave me a five euro tip today

mad muffin

mad muffin wrote: »

I did all my shopping online this year… and it was fab.u.las

I swore I would, and then little by little, time passed by and all of a sudden OHMYGODCHRISTMASISTHISWEEK

braddun

it will be a different story when you go to the sales



I find in Bt they look you up and down,and the better your dressed the nicer they treat you


trying to work out how much commission they will get

GLaDOS

Had some great help from the staff in Debenhams who made sure I got everything I wanted even though I had left things too late and were out of stock :pac:

Don't know how they do it, never had the patience for retail, let alone at Christmas. Fair play to them.

braddun

braddun wrote: »

it will be a different story when you go to the sales



I find in Bt they look you up and down,and the better your dressed the nicer they treat you


trying to work out how much commission they will get

Oh fcuk going to the sales tbh.

Not. A. Hope.

KatW4

Ruu wrote: »

Also sorry to retail workers who have to deal with arsehole parents who were too late to get little Jimmy or Mollys bike and/or doll and take it out you. Happy Christmas.

I worked in a toy shop many years ago and on Christmas eve, the amount of people trying to get in at 6 when we were closing was crazy! Then the abuse we got because we were closing and they couldn't buy their bloody presents!!

I don't have the patience but I have a lot of respect for those working in retail at Christmas.

Penny Tration

KatW4 wrote: »

I worked in a toy shop many years ago and on Christmas eve, the amount of people trying to get in at 6 when we were closing was crazy! Then the abuse we got because we were closing and they couldn't buy their bloody presents!!

I don't have the patience but I have a lot of respect for those working in retail at Christmas.

I got hell last year from customers. I stuck a sign up for two full weeks, saying we were closing at 4pm on Christmas Eve. My boyfriend worked in the same centre, and finished at 6, so I went into his shop after to wait for him. Lots of regulars gave me a lot of abuse for being in the centre and not working :pac:

cloud493

I'm working till midnight on christmas eve, really hope people aren't in a bad mood. Been pretty ok so far, people look fairly rushed, but no major hassles as of yet.

Mister Vain

Deleted User wrote: »

Today I was shopping. I hate shopping. I was in many many shops and bought many many things.

It's the only day of shopping that I've done or that I will be doing for the Christmas. It was exhausting. There were people everybloodywhere.

Every single person who served me in every shop was polite and helpful, despite being crazy busy. I cannot imagine working in retail at this time of year, long hours, stress, rude customers, demanding managers, crap pay, and feck all thanks. I couldn't do it.

So to all the nice people who helped me today; thank you and Merry Christmas.

Ahh now. Crap pay compared to what exactly? Your job?

Penny Tration

Mister Vain wrote: »

Ahh now. Crap pay compared to what exactly? Your job?

The majority of retail staff are on minimum wage. It's pretty crap pay.

I'm quite lucky that I'm on a good commission scheme on top of my wage.

Trebor176

I encountered nothing but pleasant staff while shopping last week. Though, it was early in the day and the shops weren't too packed. I made sure to wish them all a Happy Christmas, as I'm sure many customers wouldn't even bother to do that. It's small things like that that can made the staff feel appreciated.

I do work in the retail sector, but in the head office of a well known chain of stores. Although I don't need to deal with any customers from the stores, I know how busy the staff can be and will be over the coming days. When chatting to them on the phone, they're usually quite chipper, but I know what they have to deal with most days, and especially during the sales. Hopefully most customers will be nice to them, though.

Greenmachine

eviltwin wrote: »

Don't forget having to listen to Christmas music on a loop since November. Anyone who can do that and find a smile for a customer the week before Christmas deserves a medal.

The memories years ago working 16 hours shift in a fast food place, the same cd playing in a constant loop.

hdowney

Deleted User wrote: »

I swore I would, and then little by little, time passed by and all of a sudden OHMYGODCHRISTMASISTHISWEEK

This was me. What will Uni exams and the like I was like OHGODHOWDIDTHATSNEAKUPONMEHEEEELP!!!! I found everyone in the shops very polite and helpful and I was polite back, best way to be. I have been in their shoes.

cloud493 wrote: »

I'm working till midnight on christmas eve, really hope people aren't in a bad mood. Been pretty ok so far, people look fairly rushed, but no major hassles as of yet.

Yeegads ya poor thing.

anncoates

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Today I was shopping. I hate shopping. I was in many many shops and bought many many things.

It's the only day of shopping that I've done or that I will be doing for the Christmas. It was exhausting. There were people everybloodywhere.

Every single person who served me in every shop was polite and helpful, despite being crazy busy. I cannot imagine working in retail at this time of year, long hours, stress, rude customers, demanding managers, crap pay, and feck all thanks. I couldn't do it.

So to all the nice people who helped me today; thank you and Merry Christmas.

I've told you already you're not getting a discount.

Turtyturd

Big shout out to everyone else out there doing their job.

sh1tstirrer

Plenty cranky shop staff out there as well. I don't get all this glorification of shop staff.

Sauve

sh1tstirrer wrote: »

Plenty cranky shop staff out there as well. I don't get all this glorification of shop staff.

Stick on a smile and they'll smile back. Promise.
Happy Christmas

Lyaiera

I really had to buy shoes in the January sales, and I went into a really popular shoe shop. I picked out my shoes while battling the horde, as quickly as I could and asked for my size, only to be told they were sold out in that size. The guy could see the disappointment in my face and asked if I had a style I was looking for. I said I did and he plopped me in front of the staff computer, and brought up the type of shoe I was looking for and only the ones available in my size. Instead of having to push my way through people to even get a look at a shoe I had what I wanted picked out and tried on within a couple of minutes. It was the most hassle free shop I had done in my life. All the benefits of online with all the benefits of buying in a shop.

I went up to the till and paid for the shoes, but on the way out I handed him a fiver. He looked thrilled but I don't think he realised how happy he made me in helping me avoid the January sales madness.

I've also written e-mails the odd time to head office asking for my thanks for people to be passed on to their manager.

anncoates

sh1tstirrer wrote: »

I don't get all this glorification of shop staff.

It's usually discussed under its more everyday title of manners.

suicide_circus

Deleted User wrote: »

long hours, stress, rude customers, demanding managers, crap pay, and feck all thanks. I couldn't do it.

Yes you could, all you would need is a lack of other options.

Penny Tration

sh1tstirrer wrote: »

Plenty cranky shop staff out there as well. I don't get all this glorification of shop staff.

Probably because the majority of retail workers have to work crazy hours at Christmas, in packed shops, with no let up from the queue, dealing with stressed out people wanting us to hurry the fcuk up.

suicide_circus

sh1tstirrer wrote: »

Plenty cranky shop staff out there as well. I don't get all this glorification of shop staff.

Stop stirring sh1t

The_Valeyard

Shopping today. I hate it.


Rabble rabble rabble

Voodoomelon

I'm self employed in retail, in-store and online and it's a mental time of year. Take far too much on and work 9-10 hour days, with no days off from mid November and whole of December.

But the customers are great and we've built up a lot of repeat custom. I do wonder sometimes what affect the madness has on health and whether the financial gain is worth it. Personally I would prefer there was no Christmas rush, but there's no going back now.

I look forward to Christmas day and the few days after, but hate the rest.

AstraOwner

Tough job alright.

I had the misfortune to be stuck behind a proper old biddy of a woman when getting a bit of (grocery) shopping recently. She was probably in her 50's and she obviously didn't see the girl serving her as her equal. She kept giving her an awful lot of hassle about absolutely nothing, just because she could it seemed. The girl was nothing but pleasant, apologetic and kept a smile. But the old woman just kept going, right in her face, trying to get the girl down. I really, really wanted to tell the woman to shut the f**k up but I knew the manager might get involved if there was any sort of a scene and the cashier probably wouldn't benefit.
It was only when the woman left that the girl dropped her front a bit and despite still smiling it had obviously upset her a tad. She wasn't even angry, just sad.


I do try to have a bit of a chat to all the shop type people at this time of year, but a lot of the time they're in robotic mode it seems and probably just don't have time.

But yeah, Happy Christmas to you all. See you for the sales. :pac:

sh1tstirrer

Jingle_Balls wrote: »

Probably because the majority of retail workers have to work crazy hours at Christmas, in packed shops, with no let up from the queue, dealing with stressed out people wanting us to hurry the fcuk up.

When you say long hours, how many?

Links234

Ruu wrote: »

Also sorry to retail workers who have to deal with arsehole parents who were too late to get little Jimmy or Mollys bike and/or doll and take it out you. Happy Christmas.

"Hey, I know you have them in the back, why don't you go get me one? Who do you think you are? I want to talk to your manager, you jumped up little so and so... :mad:"

...yeah

Penny Tration

sh1tstirrer wrote: »

When you say long hours, how many?

At the moment, I'm doing 11 hour shifts with no break (too busy for breaks because I work alone in the shop), with 2 hours each way of a commute.

sh1tstirrer

Jingle_Balls wrote: »

At the moment, I'm doing 11 hour shifts with no break (too busy for breaks because I work alone in the shop), with 2 hours each way of a commute.

Somehow I don't envy you, I often do long hours farming but at least I am my own boss and don't have a commute. You must have some patience for your job.

Pumpkinseeds

I worked in a toy shop for a while, believe me at Christmas it's like Apocalypse now. What pissed me off the most was having to go to work on St Stephens day for the toy sale, ffs, like the kids didn't get enough stuff the day before.:rolleyes:

Penny Tration

sh1tstirrer wrote: »

Somehow I don't envy you, I often do long hours farming but at least I am my own boss and don't have a commute. You must have some patience for your job.

I don't need patience tbh, I love my job. It's tough at Christmas, though.

Billy86

Whoever works upstairs in the HMV beside Arnotts on Henry Street deserves a medal also, was in there the other day to pick up some last minute presents and it must be close to 25 degrees up there. Asked staff if the air conditioning was broken or something, according to them nope it's always set that hot. Had to take my coat and jumper off, and was still sweating in just a t-shirt, and I'm not the sweaty type at all!

Luap

Nothing more ignorant then when a customer comes up to the counter on their phone. Not even a friendly "Hi" or an apology. Get item and trods off.

Pet hate.

Sauve

Luap wrote: »

Nothing more ignorant then when a customer comes up to the counter on their phone. Not even a friendly "Hi" or an apology. Get item and trods off.

Pet hate.

If there's no queue behind them and I'm not holding up another customer by doing so, I'll politely blank them until they're finished their call.
I would never serve a customer while taking a phonecall or speaking to somebody else, so they're not getting away with treating me like I'm not there.

SMJSF

braddun wrote:

I find in Bt they look you up and down,and the better your dressed the nicer they treat you

strangely enough, it's not just in BT! Ive recently found it works like that in a most shops... and it applies to the security people too..... Gggrrr... just because I didn't wear make up to go shopping doesn't mean I'm going to rob anything!!

Smidge

cloud493 wrote: »

I'm working till midnight on christmas eve, really hope people aren't in a bad mood. Been pretty ok so far, people look fairly rushed, but no major hassles as of yet.

Is this in retail?
If so, I have to say I think its really unfair to staff to be expected to stay until such an ungodly hour on Xmas eve when they could be spending it with children/family/friends etc.
Its just people(greedy shop owners and lazy/forgetful customers )taking advantage of a persons job.

And before anyone loses their marbles about "What about barmen/taximen/nurses/hookers? They all work late hours!!" Thats part of that particular profession.
Not in a bloody Toymaster or whatever

anncoates

Anybody I dealt with has been great. One lady in Dundrum even mildly flirted with a mess like me which was clearly going above and beyond duty. Well that, or else they were drunk.